Preserve Your “Paper” Art Works Behind Glazed Surfaces…

If you take the entire range of graphics that are presented on paper, they
cover a lot—photographs, lithographs (prints), drawings, etchings, engravings,
pastels, watercolors, gouaches (opaque watercolors prepared with gum), silk
screens and wood blocks. Now, these will not last long unless proper preservation
methods are adopted. The best protection that can be given to them is to
place them behind glazed surfaces. Sounds perfectly easy, but there is a
snag here—glazing materials can result in adverse effects on your precious
antiques. So, certain precautions have to be taken to ensure that the art
work does not come in direct contact with any type of glazed surface.

This is achieved with the aid of a window mat. Do ensure that you get
an archival piece that consists of all-rug fiber and is acid-free. The
window mat attached to the back board (with the aid of linen tape on one
side only) is meant to help your art work stand “straight and tall”! The
paper is not going to be harmed by accidents such as folding, bending,
etc. when it is handled or touched. Additionally, the window mat provides
a breathing space for your work of art, for it will remain separated from
the glazed surface. The most important function of the window mat is to
enhance aesthetic appeal.

Now, how do you bring together paper and mat? A process called “hinging”
is used for this purpose. This means that your art work is attached to
its support similar to the hinges between a door and the wall. You need
to get Japanese rice paper, as well as wheat or rice starch paper. Do
not ever go in for Scotch tape or masking tape. Another aspect is “dry
mounting”—the entire back or the sides are not to be pasted to the support.
This technique is discarded only when your paper has little value or nil
value.
Done? Okay, let us get on with the glazing now. There are two kinds of
glazing materials that are in use—glass and acrylic. Both have their advantages
and disadvantages.

If you should consider glass, it is more affordable as compared to acrylic.
More resistant to scratches, glass is also definitely easier to keep clean
and shining. Let us take a look at the disadvantages now. Glass tends
to be on the heavier side, and if not handled carefully, will shatter
easily. If the art work is displaced in a prominently sunny place, the
glass will create a glare effect due to its highly reflective property.
Finally, glass cannot withstand sudden changes in temperature.

Going on to acrylic or Plexiglas, it is lighter than glass. You need
not therefore worry about your framed object crashing to the floor without
warning and shattering into a million pieces! It is recommended for larger
art works, since it can safely be termed shatterproof. An ultraviolet
filter can be safely utilized to protect the art work behind an acrylic
surface. Finally, Plexiglas proves to be a better thermal insulator than
glass. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? But acrylic is also a great attractor
of dust; regular cleaning can become quite a headache! No, glass cleaners
are not going to work on such surfaces. Plexiglas carries the property
of static electricity. Utilizing it as a glazing surface for charcoals,
pastels, or any other powdery pigment surface is inviting disaster!

So, weigh your options and make a correct decision about the glazing material
you want to use for your art work. And ensure that you open up the glazing
surface every few years to get rid of dust and allow circulation of fresh
air.

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